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- Utah health officials warn about hantavirus risk from rodent droppings this spring.
- Hantavirus is rare in Utah but fatal in 60% of reported cases.
- Actor Gene Hackman's wife likely died Feb. 11 in their New Mexico home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
SALT LAKE CITY — As the weather warms and people start cleaning, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning about hantavirus — a disease passed through droppings, urine and saliva of mice or other rodents.
"Stirring up dust where rodents have been can cause hantavirus to get into the air where the particles can be breathed in," the department said Monday in a prepared release.
It urges Utahns to be cautious when cleaning out sheds, cabins or other buildings that have had rodents present. The health department said hantavirus is rare; there are typically one or two reported cases in Utah each year, but it is fatal in about 60% of reported cases.
Symptoms of hantavirus include fatigue, fever and muscle aches and can include headaches, dizziness, chills or stomach issues. A second phase of the disease brings coughing and shortness of breath due to liquid in the lungs, the statement said.
Kacy Nowak, an epidemiologist with the health department, said anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry the virus is at risk for contracting hantavirus.
"Make sure you take precautions when you work in areas with potential rodent droppings and nests. Use a disinfectant spray on areas with droppings and wait 15-20 minutes before you clean. This will kill the virus and decrease your risk," she said.
Some other steps people can take to prevent contracting hantavirus include airing out closed buildings before going in, not sweeping droppings up, trapping mice, keeping pet food covered to not attract mice, sealing holes in homes and removing piles of trash, wood or junk.
When cleaning up after rodents, the health department encouraged wearing rubber or plastic gloves and washing hands afterwards; soaking urine, droppings and nests with bleach or disinfectant before cleaning; throwing away towels used to clean up in a covered can; and cleaning the area with a disinfectant again after removing the nest or droppings.
New Mexico authorities say actor Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, likely died Feb. 11 at their Santa Fe home from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Her autopsy report hasn't yet been released.
An Associated Press story published Monday said the leading cause of Hackman's death was heart disease. He was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease and likely had not eaten for a long time, according to a new autopsy report. He appeared to have outlived Arakawa at home by about a week, possibly unaware of his wife's death.
